Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson describes the author's years of work with unjustly convicted people on death row, serving life sentences, and children serving sentences in adult prisons. I was dismayed (though I should have known) to read about the atrocities happening even in recent years, the justice system sabotaging the rights of poor people and people of color at every turn, rushing to convict someone just to have the case "completed," and most especially, pushing to execute people even when evidence is strong that they were wrongly convicted.
It was extremely disheartening, yet Stevenson and his colleagues, over the years, accomplished some great deeds and helped change laws and policies, so there is hope.
The human interest stories in this book are fascinating. The book is excellent; I would recommend it highly to anyone who is willing to read non-fiction, something sad yet hopeful, and to keep learning about these important topics.
2 comments:
Hi Carol,
I really learned a lot from this book also. Even though it was devastating to read some of the stories, it is inspiring to know that there are people who are willing to show 'justice and mercy' where it is most needed in the world. Betty
Thanks for the review; it is now on my to-read list.
Post a Comment